One law for the rich? Drivers allowed to PAY £5 to park on lines in new initiative

DRIVERS are being allowed to park on double yellow lines for £5 a day.

Devon county council is thought to be the first council to trial the scheme

Devon County Council is believed to be the first in the country to introduce permits which relax the parking restrictions brought in across Britain in 1960.

Its “dispensation scheme” allows business owners, landlords and contractors to park vehicles almost anywhere after buying the daily £5 passes.

Critics fear the scheme is just a money-making venture for the cash-strapped council and will cause traffic chaos in already congested town centres.

Concerns have also been raised about the permits being sold on for a profit or being used by friends and families due to lax security checks.

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The new 'dispensation scheme' allows drivers to park almost anywhere for £5 a day

The council brought in three types of permits designed for tradesmen and women to use at the end of last month.

Almost anyone can apply and there will be little to no checks made. It’s all just about money

Council source

Two of these, annual and short-stay permits, do not allow vehicles to be left on double or single yellow lines but the third kind, “dispensation notice permits” can be bought for £5 plus £5 a day and allow the user to park anywhere.

A council source said the system was open to abuse.

“Almost anyone can apply and there will be little to no checks made. It’s all just about money.”

But a council spokesman insisted: “Use of the permits is monitored by our civil enforcement officers. Our team will contact the permit holder should there be concerns over their use.”